Identify the correct sequence of the following media related statutes:
- The working Journalists Act, the Copyright Act, the Contempt of Court Act, the Criminal Procedure Code.
- The Copyright Act, the contempt of Courts Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Working Journalists Act.
- The Contempt of Courts Act, the Working Journalist Act, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Copyright Act
- The Criminal Procedure Code, the Working Journalists Act, the Contempt of Courts Act, the Copyright Act
Correct Ans: (A)
Explanation:
Media laws in India have developed over the years to regulate journalism, copyright, judicial conduct, and legal procedures. To identify their correct sequence, one must consider their historical significance and enactment years.
The first statute in this sequence is the Working Journalists Act, passed in 1955. This act aimed to safeguard the rights of journalists by ensuring fair wages, job security, and proper working conditions in the media industry. Following this, the Copyright Act was introduced in 1957. This law protected intellectual property by granting exclusive rights to creators over their works, preventing unauthorized reproduction or misuse.
Years later, in 1971, the Contempt of Courts Act was enacted. This law aimed to uphold judicial integrity and prevent actions that could interfere with court proceedings. It penalized acts that scandalized courts, obstructed justice, or disrespected judicial authority. The final law in this sequence is the Criminal Procedure Code, passed in 1973. This act streamlined legal procedures related to criminal offenses, trials, and punishments, making the judicial system more efficient.
Considering these historical timelines, the correct sequence is option (A), which lists the Working Journalists Act first, followed by the Copyright Act, the Contempt of Courts Act, and finally, the Criminal Procedure Code. This order reflects the gradual evolution of media-related legal frameworks in India.